Motorcycle Forums

bike of decade

Hi Andy, rated it a5 purely because you included theSP1/2.  I have the 1 and its fantastic, did my first trackday on it this year.Totally different from riding one on the road, they were made to race!

Er yes Marc

I find myself agreeing with Marc although I'm not sure the SV is eligable being launched before 2000. Being approximate with the eligability criteria my list would be:

SV650 - A real world affordable bike with a bit of class about it. Its the ducati vibe that beats the ER6-F for me (even as an nostalgic ex ER6 owner). Simmarly the New Yamaha XJ is a poor looker from some angles and the Fazer 600 is good but (alegedly) a bit gutless low down.

CBR125/ CBF125/YZF-R125 - Can't decide which one of these gets the gong. Clearly the CBR created the class, the cbf is an excellent commuter, well equiped and cheap whilst the Yam is beautiful and the best "sports" 125.

Yamaha Fazer 1000 (and possibly the CBF1000). Blindingly easy to ride bike with more than enough performance. I rode one and was stunned at how easy it was to ride and trickle through traffic (even compared to the ER6). Cheap to buy, service and insure and very versatile. Makes the VFR800 (which I love the idea of) seem pointless and expensive.

BMW R1200GS.  I can't imagine me having one because there hight scares me but I have a lot of respect for them.

Moto guzzi V7 Cafe. Its so beautiful and right, I need one and would justify it with any logic that I could find (sadly logic doesn't produce money which is tight right now).

Honerable mentions too:

Honda Deauville. yeah I know I hate them but they are the bike we should probably all use for our commute. If nothing else their build quality is astounding, they are full of sensible design and they do exactly the job we all need.

Honda CBR600F. The new one with EFI launched in 2000 onwards is a good looker and probably the all rounder I really need.

Aprilla RSV4. An amazing bike but irrelevant for the road for many of us. I'm pleased its made but wouldn't buy one even with a lottery win.

Ducati Monster. These bikes showed that you could get an exciting bike that wasn't a race replica. Frankly I would prefer a modern take on a 1980s 900ss but heh:-)

Whatever bikes you want to elect - Merry Christmas everybody

My Top 5

1. Suzuki SV650s .... Mainly cos ive got 1 but my god are they the best first bike anyone, of any age, any background or any experience can get on and be touring to racing on in 3 years ... The RD250 of the Naughties....

2. 2006 Yamaha R5 ... Changed the face of the competition from the all conquering CBR600RR on track and in the showrooms. absolute insane bike when ridden with a passion and the closest many get to a racing machine.

3. Triumph Daytona 675 ... What a revelation, from a company just getting by with being the 5th best 600 bike in a group to being number 1 first time out. Great bike, mould breading and class leading. due for its next major overhaul - and you know its going to be just as epic.

4. Yeppo ... Ducati Desmosedici RR ... What everyone said wouldnt happen, happened. With new updates coming out and MotoGP changing to 1000cc road based engines ..... Desmo Mk. 2 will be out, and more keely priced ... Imagine, carbon framed V4 firebreathing GP for the road ... at £26,000???

5. 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 ... Class changing, not with massive leaps, titanium valves, better aerodynamtics and revised engine... not to mention one of the best looking GSXR of all time, but it made the ultimate bike of 2005 and whiped the WSBK floor with its badge.

Those are my top 5 bikes from 2000-2009